Thoughts on the First Round and the Rest of the Draft

There are a few things I want to touch on particularly because I was not able to finish my prospects posts.

1. I have one word to describe the Pats draft so far: confusing. Not to be mistaken with surprising. Belichick is known for throwing a curveball come draft day, but it is a curveball that is usually risk averse and conservative. The Pats wildly deviated from the typical draft strategy in several ways.

- They drafted a pass rusher in the first round.
- They used both of their first round selections.
- They traded up TWICE.
- They addressed a position that might be the deepest on the roster (ILB).

Just confusing.


2. Pick #21: Chandler Jones DE/OLB - Syracuse, Grade: B
Jones struck me as second round player, but had gotten a lot of buzz this week. He's a big guy that brings versatility, a quality the Patriots covet. He is able to play defensive end in a four man front, outside linebacker in a three man front, and in nickel packages on third down could even play defensive end in a three man front. Watching his film, he provides a decent pass rush and smarts, but seems like a liability in the run game. I gave the selection a B because although he definitely fits a need and looks like a solid player, the pick seemed high, they gave up a third round selection to move up, and other similar players (Nick Perry and Courtney Upshaw) were available at the Pats original selection, #27.


3. Pick #25: Donta Hightower ILB/OLB - Alabama, Grade: C+
I do not understand this selection. Hightower looks like a great player, true. An excellent run stopping thumper for first and second down. But he reminds me of Brandon Spikes, a run stopper who can blitz the A gap, but is weak in coverage. Spikes, who the Patriots used a second round pick on in 2010, still has two years on his contract. In a 3-4, the Patriots have Spikes and Jerod Mayo, their leader and second best player, at inside linebacker. Mayo is also one of the few players signed past 2013. In the Needs posts I posted before the draft, I mentioned that inside linebacker was the only position on defense that didn't need anything. You can't even claim they were just selecting the best player available because they traded UP to get him. This pick doesn't get an F for two reasons: first, watching Hightower's tape he was exceptional at stopping the run and was able to line up at outside linebacker on third down to rush the passer, and second, because it prevented him from going to the Raven's where I think he would have fit perfectly and wreaked havoc. (Hence why they immediately traded down afterwards).


4. AFC East Grades:
Miami Dolphins: #8 Overall: Ryan Tannehill QB - Texas A&M, Grade: D
Buffalo Bills: #10 Overall: Stephon Gillmore CB - South Carolina, Grade: A
NY Jets: #16 Overall: Quentin Coples DE - North Carolina, Grade: C-

A consolation for the Pats sub-par draft, the AFC East in general didn't do very well. The Dolphins picked who everyone thought they would, in Tannehill and the Jets took Coples both have bust written all over them. The Bills, however, selected a solid cornerback to help their woeful secondary.


5. Rest of the Draft:
Overall, it seems the Pats are coveting versatility. Jones can play end or outside and Hightower can move inside or outside for either front. Projecting that to the rest of the draft I would hope for a hybrid defensive tackle/end and a safety/corner. As they currently stand, the Pats have two selections in the second round and that is it. I would hope they trade down with at least one of them as I think they have more holes to fill than just two and although they are always very active in the undrafted free agent market, there are still several viable prospects.


6. Prospects:
Speaking of prospects here are several that I still have my eye on:
Devon Still, DT - Penn State (2nd)
Jerel Worthy, DT - Michigan State (2nd)
Josh Chapman, DT - Alabama (3rd)
Billy Winn, DE - Boise State (3rd)
Trumaine Johnson, CB/FS - Montana (2nd)
Josh Robinson, CB - Central Florida (2nd)
Brandon Boykin, CB/KR - Georgia (2nd)
George Iloka, FS - Boise State (3rd)
Brandon Hardin, FS - Oregon State (5th)
Senio Kelemete, G - Washington (4th)
James Brown, G - Troy (4th)
Brandon Washington, G - Miami (FL) (5th)
Chris Owusu, WR/KR - Stanford (4th)
Joe Adams, WR/KR - Arkansas (4th)